When it comes time for you or your loved one to move into an assisted living community, it’s important to know the best ways to make it easier on yourselves. After all, you’ve done the hard part – you’ve toured communities, you’ve evaluated what you liked and didn’t like and you’ve narrowed down your choices to the perfect community, so it’s only right that the next step of your journey be a little smoother!

“When we say smoother, we don’t mean that this won’t be an emotional journey,” says Andrea Campisi, Marketing and Admissions Director of The Reutlinger Community, a Continuing Care Retirement Community in Danville, CA. “It can be difficult and stressful to downsize; moving day can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. There’s a whole host of emotions that can come with such a big change, but we’re here to help you every step of the way. Whether that’s helping you to make downsizing easier, calm your nerves or make your move-in day successful. We’re so excited to help guide you on this journey and can’t wait to help you now and in the future.”

Tips for Downsizing Prior to Moving to Assisted Living

We know that downsizing can be riddled with stress and uncertainty. You may not know what to keep or throw away, what you will need or what you won’t, what you should pass down and what you should sell or – better yet – where to even start. We’re here to help. Follow some of our expert tips below!

Make a list of rooms to go through.

Establish a list of what rooms you need to go through, beginning with the easiest spaces first – often a linen closet or study. Leave the bedroom, kitchen and bathroom for last, as you often need items from there up until your move. When you can no longer put them off, be sure to keep your essentials and then get rid of the rest.

Start small.

It can often help to simply clear clutter when you’re just starting out. Get rid of old papers, shred old but important documents, get rid of duplicate items and simply begin clearing out obvious items. As time goes on, it often gets easier to downsize the items and make way for what truly matters.

Establish a list of what you need.

Before downsizing, talk to the team at the assisted living community to find out what you’ll likely want and need from home. Do you want to bring your comforter and favorite window treatments? Is your favorite chair going to fit? Do you have room for your large collection of books or paintings? Knowing this information will make it easier to clear the items you won’t have space for or simply won’t need because your lifestyle will be too busy to care about them anymore.

Sell or pass down items that are meaningful or valuable.

For many seniors, they are holding on to items they no longer need or use but tend to make them happy. These items are often only brought out during special occasions or even when someone else asks about them. If you have a favorite necklace that your granddaughter would look beautiful in while appreciating it belonged to you, pass it down. If you have antiques that you don’t have use for, consider selling them in a consignment shop or having them assessed by a collector to purchase.

Find some help.

There is an array of senior moving services that would be happy to help you downsize and make a move to assisted living much easier. If downsizing is too much, or you’d like some additional help, consider hiring a service instead of doing it all yourself!

Downsizing can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be if you have an established plan of action in place. With our tips, we hope that your downsizing journey will be more seamless. If we can help in any way, simply let us know!

For more information about downsizing, or to learn more about our community, mission and values, please contact us at 925-272-0261.

Premier Senior Living, Dedicated Care

The Reutlinger Community’s mission is to provide high quality health care and social support services in a life-enhancing and stimulating environment with a commitment to Jewish values.

Offering Assisted Living, Enhanced Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, The Reutlinger Community provides a continuum of care that allows seniors to live in a life-enhancing and stimulating environment. Located in Danville, California, The Reutlinger Community’s renovated, 110,000-square-foot community combines the comfort and familiarity of home with seasoned senior care and skilled nursing specialists to suit any senior’s needs, allowing them to live the life they choose with freedom and security.

Because we specialize in a continuum of care, our residents never need to worry about leaving the community they call home or wonder what will happen when they need some more care. Residents and families alike can have peace of mind knowing that there are full-time licensed nurses available, along with activity coordinators, social workers, caregivers, a concierge and Rabbi who focus solely on helping each resident thrive. Even better, our services and amenities are equal to those of a state-of-the-art resort. This is the lifestyle and care that your loved one deserves.

At The Reutlinger Community, seniors have numerous opportunities to engage in award-winning programs that are designed to engage the mind, renew the spirit and provide opportunities to meet new people and learn something new. Whether residents are enjoying our art program and museum, listening to a lecture or educational program or attending spiritual programming and our wide range of activities, there’s something for each resident to love. Participate as much or as little as you like, the choice is all yours.

For more information contact us today.